I finally got it.
I got it, pigeons, I got it!
After musing, tossing and turning, I finally figured out why I have such a visceral sense of the Yuck when I attend so many professional gatherings: it is because too many pastors dress like children.
And I’m sorry to say that women seem to be especially prone to this objectionable behavior.
PeaceBang must be stern here, because she finds it disturbing.
Cute little pastel sweaters with flowers and pants in the same baby hue to match. Bright, silly clogs with ankle socks and oversized capri pants. Elf booties or slippers with patterned tights and denim smocks. Women over 50 in jumpers sitting with crossed legs at meetings, revealing their entire thigh. Put your legs down. You’re not a schoolgirl. Or else wear proper trousers.
And these people complain that religious life, and they, aren’t taken seriously in our culture? They want to know why their witness, their social justice work, their spiritual values and insights, aren’t respected?
Big, floppy camp shirts with sleeves that stick right out from the arm and hair cut just like a little boy’s when you’re a grandmother? Big, home-made jewelry on top of T-shirts and comfy little play pants? Dirty toes peeking out of sandals?
Why should anyone follow us when we look like we’re leading them to the sandbox?
This sounds a tad intolerant. Just a touch. Especially the short hair. Older people wear short hair for a reason (it hides how we have less). And it so much less bother… I’m sure you are not meaning for peace bang to be intolerant of differences. Surely Not!
How to let people know that they are out of good taste. How to tell a friend that the look is no longer cute? How to be sensitive and truthful at the same time?
PB, I think this is an excellent point. Thanks for sharing the AHA! moment.
“PeaceBang must be stern here, because she finds it disturbing.”
This made me laugh – I pictured you with pursed lips and wagging your finger at all those naughty ministers!
Per my hairdresser, longer hair drags down the face
and makes you look older. She suggests shorter
styles for women “of a certain age”. She claims
that shoulder length is less flattering to the
face. So, what if short, strait hair, e.g. the
20’s flapper cut works for being low maintenance
with natural (unstraightened, un-permed) hair?
I wasn’t wearing L’Oreal Big Apple Red when I was
a five-year-old, though. 😉
This was a retreat setting, right? Not Sunday morning or a meeting with a politician, or even a day in the office? [I’m afraid it was a day at the office for most folks. – PB]
I’m with you until you say “hair cut just like a little boy’s.” I think that’s one of the most flattering looks on an older woman (as I am soon going to have to think of myself). [I agree, but just don’t DRESS like a little boy at the same time, know what I mean? – PB]
I have never yet seen a little boy with a pixie cut! (Or lipstick, see SJ above.)
There is a substantial difference between a sloppy short hair cut and a hair style. [Right Exactly. And a big difference between cute, short “boy” hair and shaggy little boy hair with no make-up and kiddie play clothes. What a horrific combination. Honestly. – PB]
Short hair must be maintained. A quick trim every few weeks is a must, it can’t be pinned up during a hair emergency.
Of course, the same goes for long hair worn unpinned. No one needs to see those scraggly ends!!
Amen, PB, Amen…
Can we also decry the T-shirts hawking Disney characters? Just b/c the english fairy-tale-looking Pooh may look a touch “shabby chic” doesn’t mean it is!
Amen! Please, please decry grown women decked out all in Tigger and Piglet. I will admit to owning a much-beloved X-Men t-shirt for casual wear, but one should NEVER show up for anything professional in Tinkerbell or Winnie the Pooh and expect to be taken seriously.
Preach on, Heather.
[I decry the wearing of Tigger and Piglet!! – PB]
This post made me laugh, especially the last line. You’ve made your point with me.
I don’t understand the cutting the hair short thing when you get to be of a certain age. I’ve heard the same thing SJ mentions in a comment above, but a large part of me wonders if hair dressers just like to cut hair a LOT. I know plenty of 45+ year olds who look great with longer hair. (My mom being one of them.)